Wheel hub with floating brake band and floating axle

ABSTRACT

A wheel hub incorporating an outer annular member and an inner annular member with the outer annular member being connected with a supporting wheel structure or the like and the inner annular member being connected with an axle. The inner and outer annular bearing members are rotatably interconnected by axially spaced bearing assemblies with a floating internal brake band nonrotatably associated with the inner annular member and selectively frictionally engaged with the interior of the outer annular member when expanded to serve as a brake. In another embodiment of the invention, the wheel hub is provided with a floating axle that is resiliently supported from an inner annular member.

United States Patent [191 Leach [451 Apr. 2, 1974 WHEEL HUB WITHFLOATING BRAKE BAND AND FLOATING AXLE [75] Inventor: Raymond B. Leach,Omaha, Nebr.

[73] Assignee: Hill City Mfg., Inc., Hill City, Kans.

[22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 279,981

Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A.OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7 ABSTRACT A wheel hub incorporating anouter annular member and an inner annular member with the outer annularmember being connected with a supporting wheel structure or the like andthe inner annular member being connected with an axle. The inner andouter annular bearing members are rotatably interconnected by axiallyspaced bearing assemblies with a floating internal brake bandnon-rotatably associated with the inner annular member and selectivelyfrictionally en gaged with the interior of the outer annular member whenexpanded to serve as a brake. In another embodiment of the invention,the wheel hub is provided with a floating axle that is resilientlysupported from an inner annular member.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PMENIEDAPR 2 I974 3.800.919

ml 2 0F 2 1 WHEEL HUB WITH FLOATING BRAKE BAND AND FLOATING AXLEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION brake has been associated with the rotatablecomponent of the hub in order to impart a braking action thereto.However, previously known devices have usually employed brake bandswhich are disposed externally of a rotating surface which collapses intogripping engagement therewith, axially compressible disk elements andthe like. Prior brake assemblies associated with wheel hubs have beenrather complicated and materially enlarged the size of the hub. Also,resilient hub structures have been provided in which the axle or shaftthrough the hub can move laterally in relation to the periphery of thehub. However, substantial problems of operation and cost of such deviceshave apparently materially reduced their acceptance in the production ofwheels for various purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide a wheel hub incorporating an outer annular rotatable memberjournaled on an inner annular member with a floating brake band beinginterposed between the annular members and non-rotative in relation tothe inner annular member and expandable and contractible for frictionalengagement with the interior of the outer annularmember to form a brakefor the wheel hub.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel hub in which thebearing components between the inner and outer annularmembers areinserted through an opening in the inner annular member after which aclosure is provided for the opening for retaining the bearing members,which are in the form of ball members, within bearing races in the innerand outer annular members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wheel hubincorporating a resiliently supported axle or shaft therein to enablefloating movement of the axle in relation to the hub within the limitsof the resilient connection between the axle. and hub.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a wheel hub inaccordance with the preceding objects which is relatively simple inconstruction, well adapted for many uses and relatively inexpensive tomanufac ture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aside elevational view ofthe wheel hub of the present invention incorporated into a wheelstructure illustrating the mechanism for actuating the brake.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 2-2, on an enlarged scale, illustrating thespecific construction of the wheel hub.

FIG. 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the wheel hub.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyupon a plane passing along section line 44 of FIG. 2 illustrating thebearing structure incorporated into the hub.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner annular member and the brakeband associated therewith.

FIG. 6 is an exploded group perspective view of the structure of FIG. 5illustrating the principal compo- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS Referring now specifically to the drawings, the wheel hub ofthe present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10and in FIG. 1, the wheel hub is illustrated in association with thesupporting fork 12 of a bicycle frame or the like with it beingunderstood that the wheel hub may be employed in various arrangements.

The hub 10 includes an outer annular or cylindrical member 14 havingperipheral end flanges 16 mounted thereon which have apertures thereinreceiving wheel spokes 18 which may be conventional wire spokes such asemployed in bicycle wheel structures. The internal surface-of the outerannular member 14 is cylindrical and substantially smooth as indicatedby reference numeral 20 with an internal peripheral bearing race 22provided at each end thereof in which the peripheral race issemi-cylindrical or partially cylindrical in crosssectionalconfiguration for partially receiving a plurality of ball bearings 24that are retained in spaced relation by a spacer strip 26 of Teflonmaterial or the like with the spacer strip being partially received inan annular recess 28 formed in the internal surface of the annularmember 14 on both sides of the bearing recess 22.

Disposed internally of the outer annular member 14 is an inner annularmember 30 that has a length approximately the same as the member 14 asillustrated in FIG. 2.

The inner annular member includes a hollow central area 32 receiving asubstantially cylindrical insert 34 that includes a longitudinal bore 36extending therethrough having a longitudinal keyway 38 communicatingtherewith. The bore 36 receives an elongated axle 40 which is keyed tothe keyway 38 by a longitudinal key 42 received partially in the keyway38 and partially in a corresponding keyway in the axle 40. Thus, theaxle 40 is rigidly connected to the cylindrical insert 34 and the insert34 is received within the bore 32 in the inner annular member 30. Theinner annular member 30 includes a pair of relatively thick end portions44 which are Spaced from each other and define opposed shoulders 46which extend peripherally of the inner annular'member 30 and each ofwhich has a peripheral bearing race 48 therein which is generallysemicylindrical in crosssectional configuration and in opposed relationto the bearing race 22 for partially receiving the ball bearings 24which thus journal the outer annular member 14 on the inner annularmember 30 and prevent relative axial movement therebetween. Also, eachend portion 44 is provided with a pair of seals 50 received inappropriate grooves on opposite sides of the bearing races and bearingsto retain lubrication and exclude dust and other foreign material fromthe bearing assemblies.

Each end of the wheel hub is provided with a dust cap 52 which ismounted on the'axle 40 and forms a platelike closure for the ends of thewheel hub with the outer periphery of the dust caps extending beyond theinner edge of the rotary outer annular member as illustratedin FIG-.2.

ln-order to'enableinsertion of the ball bearings, the insert 34 has achordal segment thereof removed and replaced by a correspondingly shapedclosure plug carrying member 54 which includes a pair of spaced closureplugs 56 which project through corresponding holes 58 that extendthrough the inner annular member 30 and communicate with the bearingraces 48 with the outer ends of the plugs 56 being shaped to conformwith the transverse curvature of the bearing races so that the bearingmembers 24 may move freely in the bearing races with the spacer strip 26retaining the ball bearing members in spaced relation. The bearingspacer'strip 26 will be positioned in the recess 28 provided thereforprior to insertion of the bearings and will have the appropriate numberof holes for receiving the 4 band 60 which forms one edge of theslot-like opening 62 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The opposite edge of theslot 62 which is designated by numeral 84 is disposed in abuttingrelation to a bar 86 mounted on the exterior 'of the inner annularmember in alignment with one edge of the slot 80 therein as illustratedin FIG. 6 with the bar being secured in position by screw-threadedfasteners 88 or the like. Thus, with this construction, the brake band60 is fully and freely floating in encircling relation to the innerannular member with the edge 84 of the slot abutting the bar 86 and theactuating projection or blade 68 projecting out through the slot 80 inthe inner annular member 30 and engaging the enlarged and rounded edge82 of the brake band 60 so that when the shaft or rod 84 is pivoted in adirection to move the blade 68 into engagement with the edge 82 and thencontinued movementof the blade 68 in that direction will cause the brakeband to expand into frictional and braking engagement with the innersurface 20 of the outer annular member 14 which is, in effect, a brakedrum thus retardingv rotational movement of the outer annular member 14in a well known manner.

.While the inherent resiliency of the brake band 60 will normally returnit to its retracted or unexpanded condition when the actuating arm 78 isreturned to its normal position, in some instances, a return spring mayto retract the brake band.

ball bearing members 24 thus serving asa spacer for I the ball bearingmembers and providing self-lubrication therefor.

Disposed between the shoulders 46 is a one-piece, generally cylindricalbrake band 60'which has a longitudinal slit 62 formed therein to enableexpansion and contraction of the brake band; 60 which is constructed ofa resilient material such as a rubber or plastic material impregnatedwith wear resistant and friction producing material or any othersuitable material normally employed in brake band structures. Forexpanding the brake band 60, an elongated rod 64 is disposed within alongitudinal recess 66 in the external surface of the insert 34 and isjournaled thereby in such a manner that a projecting blade or wing 68thereon will swing in an arcuate manner when the rod 64 is oscillatedabout its longitudinal axis. The outer end of the rod 64 is providedwith a square or polygonal area 70 and a screwthreaded end portion 72for receiving a retaining nut 76 which retains an actuating arm 78attached to the shaft or rod 64 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so that whenthe arm 78 which has asquare or polygonal aperture therethrough isengaged with the square area 70 and retained in position by theretaining nut 76, arcuate movement ofthe arm 78 will cause swingingmovement of the actuating projection or blade 68. The blade 68 extendsthrough a slot-like opening 80 in the inner annular member 30 and intothe slit structure or slot-type structure in the brake band 60 forengagement with a rounded and enlarged end edge portion 82 of the brakeWith the hub assembled and mounted on a supporting framework such as abicycle frame 12 by the use of nuts 96 engaging the bifurcated end ofthe frame 12 and being threaded on the axle 40 in a conventional manner,the wheels supported by the spokes 18 in a conventional manner mayrotate and are, of course, supported and journaled by the bearingmembers 24. An actuating cable or rod 98 having a clevis 100 on the endthereof is engaged with the actuating arm 78 for the brake and may beentrained over a guide roller or the like if necessary and extend to anoperating mechanism such as a brake pedal or squeeze type handle toactuate and release the brake band by pivoting the shaft or rod 64 thusexpanding the brake band 60 in one direction and permitting it toretract in the other direction with the brake band being fully floatingso that the wear characteristics thereof will be constant throughout thesurface area thereof and to provide a large braking surface forproviding a brake that will be long lasting and produce an effectivebraking action for retarding rotation of the wheel in a desired manner.

FIG. 78 illustrate another embodiment of the hub designated by numeralincluding an outer annular member 112 and an inner annular member 114journalled therefrom with a central axle 116, received in a sleeve 118or the like, being supported from the inner annular member 114 byaresilient member generally designated by the numeral 120 and illustratedin FIG. 9. The resilient member 120 includes a central body portion 122having a bore 124 therethrough receiving the axle 116 and sleeve 118.Projecting radially from the body 122 is a plurality of ribs orprojections 126 which are engaged in and received in inwardly facingU-shaped channels 128 that are rigidly fixed with the inner annularmember 114. Thus, the resilient insert 120 enables the axle 116 to floatin relation to the inner annular member 114 due to the resilientcharacteristics of the body 112 and the ribs 126. The resilient insertmay be of various materials including molded polyurethane and the sleevemay be in the form of a nylon material or the like. A dust cap 130 isprovided for each end of the hub with the dust cap being retained inposition by a threaded nut 132 or the like with the axle 116 beingsupported from any suitable support-in a well known mannerv While theresilient insert 120 has been illustrated in conjunction with asimplified hub structure, it is pointed out that it is comtemplated thatthe resilient insert could be incorporated into the hub with thefloating brake band illustrated in FIGS; 1 and 2 and also with the wheelhub structure including the bearings and employing the same manner ofinserting the ball bearings as illustratedin FIGS. 1-6. With theresilient hub insert, the suspension of the hub in relation to the axleis accomplished and the shock absorbing and cushioning characteristicsof the resilient insert are active in any revolving position of therevolving component of the hub.

It is also contemplated that the metal channels 128 receiving theribs'126 of the resilient insert may be press-fitted or otherwiserigidly fixed to an outer annular member such as the hub member 112 andthe sleeve 118 may rotate on the axle 116 in which event the axlebecomes the inner member or the sleeve may be rigid with the axle androtate in relation to the body 122 thereby providing flexibility ofutility and installation.

annular member and an outer annular member supported on the innerannular member for relative rotation, said inner annular member having aperiphal bearing race on the external surface thereof, said outerannular member having a bearing race on the internal surface thereof,said inner annular member having a hollow interior, and a hole extendingfrom the hollow interior to the bearing race on the external surfacethereof, a plurality of ball bearing members disposed in the bearingraces to facilitate relative rotation between the inner and outerannular members and prevent axial movement therebetween, said holeenabling insertion of the bearing members into the bearing races, aclosure plug for said hole, and means insertable into the hollowinterior of the inner annular member for retaining the closure plug inposition, the inner and outer annular members having axially spacedbearing races therein and bearing members associated therewith, and abrake structure interposed between the inner and outer members forretarding rotation of the outer annular member.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said brake structureincludes a one-piece resilient band of substantilly cylindricalconfiguration received on the inner annular member and having aperiphery disposed closely adjacent the inner surface of the outerannular member with the brake band including a longitudinal slottherein, and means carried by the inner annular members for expandingthe brake band to engage with the outer annular member.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said inner annular memberis provided with a longitudinal abutment on the outer surface thereofengaging one edge of the slot in the brake band with the brake bandbeing freely floating in relation to the inner annular member, saidmeans for expanding the brake band in cluding an oscillatory actuatorengaging the opposite edge of the slot in the brake band to effectivelyincrease the outside circumference of the brake band when moved awayfrom the edge of the slot in the brake band engaging the abutment.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said brake band isreceived in an annular recess in the inner annular member, said insertmeans in the inner annular member having a slot-like recess extendinglongitudinally therein, said actuator for the brake band being re ceivedin the recess and including a projecting rib extending radially from therecess for engaging the edge of the slot in the brake band opposite tothe edge of the slot in the brake band which engages the abutment on theinner annular member.

5. In a hub structure comprising an outer annular member rotatablysupported on an inner annular member, a longitudinally slit cylindricalbrake band interposed between the inner and outer annular members infree floating relation to both members, abutment means on said innerannular member abuttingly engageable by one edge of the slit in thebrake band, actuating means on said inner annular member to engage 'theother edge of the slit in the brake band to expand the brake band intofrictional braking engagement with the inner surface of the outerannular member and cooperate with the abutment means to prevent rotationof the brake band in relation to the inner annular member, and resilientmeans extending across the actuating means and connected to the edge ofthe slit in the band engaged by the actuating means to contract thebrake band when the actuting means is inoperative.

6. In a hub structure comprising an outer annular member rotatablysupported on an inner annular member, a longitudinally slit cylindricalbrake band interposed between the inner and outer annular members infree floating relation to both members, abutment means on said innerannular member abuttingly engageable by one edge of the slit in thebrake band, and actuating means on said inner annular member to engagethe other edge of the slit in the brake band to expand the brake bandinto frictional braking engagement with the inner surface of the outerannular member and cooperate with the abutment means to prevent rotationof the brake band in relation to the inner annular member, each of saidinner and outer annular members having axially spaced bearing races inregistry with each other, a plurality of ball bearings partiallyreceived in each pair of races to facilitate relative rotation andprevent relative axial movement between the annular members, said innerannular member being hollow and provided with holes communicating thenected with the rod remote from the laterally extending means foroscillating said rod, said abutment means including a longitudinal barmounted on said inner annular member.

8. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein resilient contactingmeans interconnects the abutment and the edge of the slot in the brakeband engaged by the rib to contract the brake band when the rib isinoperative, said rib including a notch therein receiving said resilientmeans.

1. A hub for mounting on an axle comprising an inner annular member andan outer annular member supported on the inner annular member forrelative rotation, said inner annular member having a periphal bearingrace on the external surface thereof, said outer annular member having abearing race on the internal surface thereof, said inner annular memberhaving a hollow interior, and a hole extending from the hollow interiorto the bearing race on the external surface thereof, a plurality of ballbearing members disposed in the bearing races to facilitate relativerotation between the inner and outer annular members and prevent axialmovement therebetween, said hole enabling insertion of the bearingmembers into the bearing races, a closure plug for said hole, and meansinsertable into the hollow interior of the inner annular member forretaining the closure plug in position, the inner and outer annularmembers having axially spaced bearing races therein and bearing membersassociated therewith, and a brake structure interposed between the innerand outer members for retarding rotation of the outer annular member. 2.The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said brake structureincludes a one-piece resilient band of substantilly cylindricalconfiguration received on the inner annular member and having aperiphery disposed closely adjacent the inner surface of the outerannular member with the brake band including a longitudinal slottherein, and means carried by the inner annular members for expandingthe brake band to engage with the outer annular member. 9
 3. Thestructure as defined in claim 2 wherein said inner annular member isprovided with a longitudinal abutment on the outer surface thereofengaging one edge of the slot in the brake band with the brake bandbeing freely floating in relation to the inner annular member, saidmeans for expanding the brake band including an oscillatory actuatorengaging the opposite edge of the slot in the brake band to effectivelyincrease the outside circumference of the brake band when moved awayfrom the edge of the slot in the brake band engaging the abutment. 4.The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said brake band is receivedin an annular recess in the inner annular member, said insert means inthe inner annular member having a slot-like recess extendinglongitudinally therein, said actuator for the brake band being receivedin the recess and including a projecting rib extending radially from therecess for engaging the edge of the slot in the brake band opposite tothe edge of the slot in the brake band which engages the abutment on theinner annular member.
 5. In a hub structure comprising an outer annularmember rotatably supported on an inner annular member, a longitudinallyslit cylindrical brake band interposed between the inner and outerannular members in free floating relation to both members, abutmentmeans on said inner annular member abuttingly engageable by one edge ofthe slit in the brake band, actuating means on said inner annular memberto engage the other edge of the slit in the brake band to expand thebrake band into frictional braking engagement with the inner surface ofthe outer annular member and cooperate with the abutment means toprevent rotation of the brake band in relation to the inner annularmember, and resilient means extending across the actuating means andcOnnected to the edge of the slit in the band engaged by the actuatingmeans to contract the brake band when the actuting means is inoperative.6. In a hub structure comprising an outer annular member rotatablysupported on an inner annular member, a longitudinally slit cylindricalbrake band interposed between the inner and outer annular members infree floating relation to both members, abutment means on said innerannular member abuttingly engageable by one edge of the slit in thebrake band, and actuating means on said inner annular member to engagethe other edge of the slit in the brake band to expand the brake bandinto frictional braking engagement with the inner surface of the outerannular member and cooperate with the abutment means to prevent rotationof the brake band in relation to the inner annular member, each of saidinner and outer annular members having axially spaced bearing races inregistry with each other, a plurality of ball bearings partiallyreceived in each pair of races to facilitate relative rotation andprevent relative axial movement between the annular members, said innerannular member being hollow and provided with holes communicating thehollow interior thereof with the bearing races to enable insertion andremoval of the ball bearings, closure plug means for said holes with theinner ends thereof conforming in configuration to the shape of thebearing races, said brake band being interposed between the bearingraces.
 7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said actuatingmeans includes an oscillatory rod disposed longitudinally on the innerannular member, a laterally extending means on said rod engageable withthe edge of the slit in the brake band, and offset arm means connectedwith the rod remote from the laterally extending means for oscillatingsaid rod, said abutment means including a longitudinal bar mounted onsaid inner annular member.
 8. The structure as defined in claim 4wherein resilient contacting means interconnects the abutment and theedge of the slot in the brake band engaged by the rib to contract thebrake band when the rib is inoperative, said rib including a notchtherein receiving said resilient means.